Depression in adult dermatology outpatients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of depression in adult male dermatology outpatients.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Combined Military Hospital, Bahawalpur, from January to March 2007.

METHODOLOGY: A consecutive sample was screened for depression by using Urdu version of General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). The final diagnosis of depression was based on criteria of International Classification of Diseases-10.

RESULTS: Out of the 114 adult males with dermatological disorders, 39 (34.11%) had depression. The frequency and percentage of depression in dermatological conditions was 6 (100%) in psychocutaneous disorders, 2 (66.6%) in urticaria, 3 (66.6%) in pruritis, 7 (57.5%) in acne vulgaris, 4 (50%) in psoriasis, 4 (44.4%) in vitiligo, 3 (37.5%) in melasma, 1 (33.3%) each in hyperhidrosis and alopecia areata, and 9 (20.4%) in eczema. It was not recorded in leprosy and chronic fungal infections.

CONCLUSION: Depression was frequently in adult males with dermatological disorders especially psychocutaneous disorders, urticaria, pruritis, acne vulgaris and psoriasis. Depressive symptoms should be specifically explored even at busy dermatology outdoors for early recognition and timely appropriate psychiatric referral.